Carpet fitting

[transatlantic]

Just popped for a quote from Carpet Right to get some rooms changed. What I have at the moment is bare concrete with grippers around the edge. They told me that I had to remove the grippers, and that they would be using spray adhesive.

Pretty sure the previous carpet was stuck down with both the grippers and glue (as I can see the remnants of glue around the edge of the room)

Why would they ask me to remove the grippers? (something I should have asked them but didn't think to)

Surely the grippers would provide extra 'grippage'? The reason I ask is because I use a wheelchair and want the best grip I can get as turning around on the spot tends to ripple carpets if they're not stuck down well.

Any carpet fitters here?

These are only small rooms btw. 10'x10' .. oh and with no underlay as apparently I don't need it with the carpet I have chosen. No underlay also works better with wheelchairs as you don't sink into it causing excess friction.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The problem there I would imagine is not having underlay - you'll have a ridge where the carpet goes over the grippers, that's why they've told you to take them up. It might be worth finding an independent fitter and asking his opinion - places like Carpet Right usually use sub contracted fitters anyway, so you're paying twice when they take their cut as well. I'm in a chair as well, the only carpet we have is the bedroom - and that'll go soon for wood. The other rooms are tiled - so much easier and cleaner.

 

[transatlantic]

The problem there I would imagine is not having underlay - you'll have a ridge where the carpet goes over the grippers, that's why they've told you to take them up. It might be worth finding an independent fitter and asking his opinion - places like Carpet Right usually use sub contracted fitters anyway, so you're paying twice when they take their cut as well. I'm in a chair as well, the only carpet we have is the bedroom - and that'll go soon for wood. The other rooms are tiled - so much easier and cleaner.

Ah! good point, as the previous carpet had underlay so this makes sense now. I'm not so concerned about the cost of the fitter as it's only £70 odd for the fitting itself, and I don't want the hasle of having to arrange all that through someone else, quite happy to pay a little more for it all to be done in store.

The reason I'm going for carpet is because I spend quite a bit of time on the floor doing exercises and what not and so it's a little more comfortable in that regard. The rest of the house is all laminate.

 

[NazNomad]

Phil is correct. Underlay would fill the void created inside the grippers, making the surface for the carpet flat.

 

[Rorschach]

Get a proper fitter in, underlay stapled down to stop it shifting, grippers around the edge. Properly stretched and fitted it should look good for years. Our fitter charges about £60 for a room and he provides good quality underlay if required.

 

[Rob Platt]

Depends on the carpet. Grippers are used when there`s something to grip like a hessian type back. If its a rubber type back its glued down as grippers will rip it to shreds.
all the best
rob

 

[Racers]

Foam backed carpets are usually glued down.

Pete

 

[Rorschach]

Do they still do foam back carpets? I would only ever go for a fabric back, foam back have always gone nasty after a few years.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Foam backed carpets are usually glued down.

Pete

Yes ... makes them great fun to replace ...

 

[woodpig]

Foam backed carpets are a nightmare when it comes to getting rid of them. I'd go with a hessian backed carpet with a decent underlay but I know it's a personal thing.

 

[Racers]

We had the hot water pipe to the washing machine blow off in the last house at night, water every where deep enough to sweep out and while we did the foam came out from under the living room carpet just to add to the mess!

Pete

 

[Phil Pascoe]

How ancient is your machine to have a hot feed?